The 2008 Uncle Heatster Horizontal Sort

[dryheat44]

Hello again. This list could be added to or subtracted from depending on extraordinary workouts, Injury or Character red flags, or whatever, but if I'm Bill Belichick, and we're all glad that I'm not, here's how my draft value board stands today:

Tier 1 -- Value #1-#8
Jake Long OT Michigan
Chris Long LB Virginia
Glenn Dorsey DE Georgia Tech

Tier 2 -- Value #9-#20
Sedric Ellis DE USC
Vernon Gholston LB Ohio St
Ryan Clady OT Boise St
Quentin Groves LB Auburn
Leodis McKelvin CB Troy

Tier 3 -- Value #21-#35
Chad Henne QB Michigan
Felix Jones RB Arkansas
Andre Caldwell WR Florida
Malcolm Kelly WR Oklahoma
Devin Thomas WR Michigan St
Limas Sweed WR Texas
Early Doucett WR LSU
Chris Williams OT Vanderbilt
Brandon Albert G Virginia
Derrick Harvey LB Florida
Kentwan Balmer DE North Carolina
Aqib Talib CB Kansas

Tier 4 -- Value #36-#55
Joe Flacco QB Delaware
Earl Bennett WR Vanderbilt
James Hardy WR Indiana
Anthony Collins OT Kansas
Gosder Cherilus OT Boston College
Cliff Avril LB Purdue
Erin Henderson LB Maryland
Jerod Mayo LB Tennessee
Johnathan Goff LB Vanderbilt
Red Bryant NT Texas A&M
Tracy Porter CB Indiana
Branden Flowers CB Virginia Tech
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie CB Tennessee St
Antoine Cason CB Arizona
Reggie Smith DB Oklahoma

Tier 5 -- Value #56-#75
Matt Forte RB Tulane
Eddie Royal WR Virginia Tech
Eric Young G Tennessee
Ezra Butler LB Nevada
Pat Sims DE Auburn
Marcus Harrison DE Arkansas
Trevor Laws DE Notre Dame
Patrick Lee CB Auburn
Quentin Demps S UTEP

Tier 6 -- Value #76-#100
Chris Johnson RB East Carolina
Oneil Cousins OL UTEP
Charles Godfrey CB Iowa
Chevis Jackson DB LSU
Simeon Castille DB Alabama
Tom Zbikowski S Notre Dame
Jamar Adams S Michigan
Josh Barrett S Arizona St

Tier 7 -- Value #101-#125
Josh Johnson QB San Diego
Kevin Smith RB Central Florida
Owen Schmitt FB/TE West Virginia
Jacob Hester RB LSU
Brad Cottam TE Tennessee
John Greco OT Toledo
Mike Pollack C Arizona St
Stanford Keglar LB Purdue
Jeremy Thompson LB Wake Forest
Ahtyba Rubin NT Iowa St
Frank Okam NT Texas

Tier 8 -- Value #126-#150
Erik Ainge QB Tennessee
Ray Rice RB Rutgers
Lavelle Hawkins WR California
Craig Stevens TE California
Kellen Davis TE Michigan St
Duane Brown OT Virginia Tech
Drew Radovich G USC
Jeremy Zuttah G Rutgers
Kory Lichtensteiger C Bowling Green
John Sullivan C Notre Dame
Chase Ortiz ILB TCU
Dwight Lowery CB San Jose St
Jonathan Zenon CB LSU
Jonathan Wilhite CB Auburn
Craig Steltz S LSU

Tier 9 -- Value #151-#200
Sam Kellar QB Nebraska
Thomas Brown RB Georgia
Justin Forsett RB California
Peyton Hillis FB Texas
Chauncey Washington RB USC
Jalen Parmele RB Toledo
Marcus Henry WR Kansas
Paul Hubbard WR Wisconsin
Jerome Simpson WR Coastal Carolina
Gary Barnidge TE Louisville
Drew Miller C Florida
Trevor Scott LB Buffalo
Gary Guyton LB Georgia Tech
Jameel McClain LB Syracuse
Hilee Taylor LB North Carolina
Jeremy Leman LB Illinois
Nick Hayden DE Wisconsin
Jack Ikeguonu CB Wisconsin
Bob Williams S Bethune-Cookman

Tier 10 -- Value #201-UDFA
Seth Adams QB Mississippi
Albert Young RB Iowa
Marcus Thomas RB UTEP
Keon Lattimore RB Maryland
Justin Beaver RB Wisconsin - Whitewater
Bo Ruud ILB Nebraska
Roderick Johnson ILB Oklahoma St
Jason Thornhill ILB Michigan St

 

[mike100915]

I think Gholston has to be in tier 1.
I'm not as high on Groves as others and I think he should be in tier 3.

 

[mike100915]

Also, I think DRC has to be tier #2. I know you maybe doing that based upon where he played, but look at the Senior Bowl and the Combine, has is going to be the first Corner off the board. I am alot higher on him then most and really think he is the only corner I'd consider at #7.

 

[dryheat44]

Also, I think DRC has to be tier #2. I know you maybe doing that based upon where he played, but look at the Senior Bowl and the Combine, has is going to be the first Corner off the board. I am alot higher on him then most and really think he is the only corner I'd consider at #7.

Based on what I know, I don't feel comfortable placing him any higher. You might be right, but I refuse to buy into the DRC hype without seeing at least three game films. He might be the best cornerback in the nation...but I won't say he is without seeing some proof. I can't in good conscience rank him ahead of Cason or Flowers -- two corners who played extremely well in D-1 schools for two years.

There's no denying his athleticism. I mean, the dude won three events at the OVC indoor track championships, and placed second in another. But due to a lack of familiarity between QB and WR, and the offense playing a basic system (maybe four routes) that a highly-recruited High School cornerback could diagnose and cover, the Senior Bowl is always slanted towards the defensive backs.

 

[mike100915]

I defintely understand were your coming from when you talk about DRC> From what I saw (limited) I think he has all the skill in the world to be a top flight corner in this league. Why don't you have Gholston in tier 1? Especially after his Pro Day. I think now there is a legitimate shot that he may know go ahead of Chris Long.

 

[dryheat44]

I defintely understand were your coming from when you talk about DRC> From what I saw (limited) I think he has all the skill in the world to be a top flight corner in this league. Why don't you have Gholston in tier 1? Especially after his Pro Day. I think now there is a legitimate shot that he may know go ahead of Chris Long.

For as much as I like him, he's still a conversion project. Don't get me wrong, though -- if he's on the board at #7, I'm taking him.

 

[Dom]

Based on what I know, I don't feel comfortable placing him any higher. You might be right, but I refuse to buy into the DRC hype without seeing at least three game films. He might be the best cornerback in the nation...but I won't say he is without seeing some proof. I can't in good conscience rank him ahead of Cason or Flowers -- two corners who played extremely well in D-1 schools for two years.

There's no denying his athleticism. I mean, the dude won three events at the OVC indoor track championships, and placed second in another. But due to a lack of familiarity between QB and WR, and the offense playing a basic system (maybe four routes) that a highly-recruited High School cornerback could diagnose and cover, the Senior Bowl is always slanted towards the defensive backs.

You make some good points but I'd still be all over DRC or Cason if they fell to #34. I'd certainly have them above Talib.

 

[mike100915]

I would never draft Talib. Why does everyone on this board love Groves? I defintely consider him if we moved down, but I feel he is a boom or bust type. I am a bit intrigued by him, but I don't feel he is a pro bowl type of player you take in the top 10. I'm starting to think more and more that Glen Dorsey could be a possiblilty at #7. You can never have enough do D-Lineman. This guy is a beast whom I could easily see falling to #7. Not the same for Ellis who I'm not as high on. Also, let's say worst scenario plays out, Gholston, both Longs, Dorsey are gone would you take McFadden at #7?

 

[ALP]

and where is McFadden supposed to be?

 

[mike100915]

and where is McFadden supposed to be?

What do you mean?

 

[dryheat44]

I would never draft Talib. Why does everyone on this board love Groves? I defintely consider him if we moved down, but I feel he is a boom or bust type. I am a bit intrigued by him, but I don't feel he is a pro bowl type of player you take in the top 10. I'm starting to think more and more that Glen Dorsey could be a possiblilty at #7. You can never have enough do D-Lineman. This guy is a beast whom I could easily see falling to #7. Not the same for Ellis who I'm not as high on. Also, let's say worst scenario plays out, Gholston, both Longs, Dorsey are gone would you take McFadden at #7?

No, I'd probably take Clady. I don't know where McFadden fits. He's got character issues, intelligence issues, toughness issues, and I'm not sure he's much of an improvement over Maroney in a passing offense. I left McFadden off because he'd have to fall into the second round for me to take him, and I don't see that happening.

 

[mike100915]

I'd love the two-headed monster of Maroney and McFadden, along with our passing Offense I think it would be incredible to watch. Although, I much rather have a defensive player taken at #7. I do think McFadden could be a possibility, if certain people are not there.Yes, he does have some off the field issues, but I'd rather guarantee 17 million to him then say Clady, Groves, or McKelvin. Also, Maroney does have an injury history. This all being said, I highly doubt the Patriots would take him at #7. But, I think it warrants some consideration.

 

[WhiZa]

Interesting you put Chris Long as a LB. It looks like he may be losing weight as his 272 at the combine was the lowest I've seen him listed at. Do you think he's trying to market himself as a replacement to Jason Taylor?

 

[midwestpatsfan]

First of Heatster, I commend you on a job well done. I am working on my board as well and it is very difficult this year. A couple of things I noticed that I wanted to comment.

For me, I think that some of the WR's are just a little too high. I cannot think of a single wide reciever that I would give a first round grade to for any team, let alone the patriots, but that is just me.

Also, I do not see the name Beau Bell on that list anywhere. Is this by design or just a name that you may have forgotten? I bring him up because I think he fits the Patriots system perfectly inside and he is a playmaker. Thoughts?


again, great job.

 

[DaBruinz]

I'd love the two-headed monster of Maroney and McFadden, along with our passing Offense I think it would be incredible to watch. Although, I much rather have a defensive player taken at #7. I do think McFadden could be a possibility, if certain people are not there.Yes, he does have some off the field issues, but I'd rather guarantee 17 million to him then say Clady, Groves, or McKelvin. Also, Maroney does have an injury history. This all being said, I highly doubt the Patriots would take him at #7. But, I think it warrants some consideration.

Except that McFadden wouldn't create a two-headed monster. McFadden is an over-hyped RB and I have to agree with DH on this. No way I'd want mcFadden on this team.

If you'd rather give McFaddne 17 million over someone like Clady or Groves, then I have some nice ocean front property in New Mexico for you if you are looking for an investment opportunity.

Why does McFadden at 7 warrant consideration? He's not nearly as talented as people think. And he has a major fumbling issue. In fact, he makes Kevin Faulk's early years look like Faulk was immunie to fumbling. And we all know that's not the truth.

 

[VJCPatriot]

There's no way McFadden is not taken before round 1 is over, the same is true of DRC. Some rather questionable rankings here. I don't see that many receivers going that early either.

 

[DaBruinz]

There's no way McFadden is not taken before round 1 is over, the same is true of DRC. Some rather questionable rankings here. I don't see that many receivers going that early either.

This is his personal rankings of players. NOT how he thinks they"ll be drafted.

I cringe at the reaction you might give if you ever saw BB and Pioli's board.

 

[cstjohn17]

Yes, we are glad you are not BB or SP for that matter we are all glad they get to pick the groceries. Looking at free agency I think they have high expectations from this draft class. The easy thing would be to sign Haggans, Chillar, Hobson to fill in the voids but instead the are hanging back. I suspect if they don't get the fit they want after the draft we will see some real JAGs added to the roster.

Tough job doing these rankings, especially beyond pick 25. The players quickly turn into a pile of huddled masses.

A name I expected to see in tier 2 was Mike Jenkins. He is a pretty good corner, I expect him to be drafted in the top 15.

 

[DaBruinz]

Yes, we are glad you are not BB or SP for that matter we are all glad they get to pick the groceries. Looking at free agency I think they have high expectations from this draft class. The easy thing would be to sign Haggans, Chillar, Hobson to fill in the voids but instead the are hanging back. I suspect if they don't get the fit they want after the draft we will see some real JAGs added to the roster.

Tough job doing these rankings, especially beyond pick 25. The players quickly turn into a pile of huddled masses.

A name I expected to see in tier 2 was Mike Jenkins. He is a pretty good corner, I expect him to be drafted in the top 15.

I think Heatster did a great job with his list. I may not agree with all of them (Ray Rice in the 4th round, are you nuts?) but I agree that Jenkins isn't in the 2nd tier when it comes to the Patriots. I haven't likes Jenkins at all for the Patriots, in all honesty. Jenkins is probably a player who will end up playing free safety sooner rather than later with those tight hips and bad transition skills.

Jenkins actually had the worst 3 cone, broad jump, 10 yard split and shuttle of the top 5 CBs (Jenkins, Talib, Cason, McKelvin, and D R-C).

 

[VJCPatriot]

This is his personal rankings of players. NOT how he thinks they"ll be drafted.

I cringe at the reaction you might give if you ever saw BB and Pioli's board.

Easy for you to say that about something neither you or I will ever see. That's like saying I cringe at you seeing Gisele Bundchen's panties.
Not GONNA HAPPEN.

Now if you have nothing else of merit to add, why don't you give your own rankings? I haven't seen so much as a mock draft from you.